1.3 Characters Witches - The witches resembles darkness and maliciousness with ugly appearance of torn clothing, skinny lips, beard and bony fingers. The witches have the ability to predict future as well as the ability to control the wind and make themselves disappear. The witches oppose human beings and they seek harm to destroy them.
Macbeth - Macbeth is the thane of Glamis as well as the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth has the qualities of being calm and modest and act very noble to everyone. Even when Macbeth received a prophesy of becoming the King of Scotland, he doubted the fact and was fearful at the same time.
Banquo - Banquo is a thane who showed qualities of greediness and ambitiousness. Banquo wanted to know his future after hearing Macbeth's and was irritated by his less fortunate outcome thus he talks badly about the witches.
Ross - Ross is a the messenger of the King. Ross is intimate with the King and he knows how the King feels about Macbeth. Ross agrees with the King no matter what.
Angus - Angus is another loyal messenger of the King. Angus dislikes rebels and those who commit treason.
Major Plot
- The witches converse about their revenge.
- Macbeth and Banquo meets.
- The witches prophesize the future of Macbeth and Banquo their futures and finds out Macbeth will become the Thane of Glamis then the King while Banquo's children will become the King.
- Ross and Angus came to give Macbeth the title of becoming Thane of Cawdor and Thane of Glamis.
- Angus explains how the Thane of Cawdor was executed.
Conflicts
1. Confusion and fear created from knowing the future of Macbeth and Banquo.
2. Uncertain of whether they should trust the witches prophecies or not; the witches may not wholly speak truth. 1.5 - 1.6
What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
= Lady Macbeth is an ambitious lady who seeks power and possibly fame and opulence. She fully believes that when Beowulf becomes the king, she will live in a better life. From her quote “Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue. Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t”, I can notice the sly and zealous tone in her words.
How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
= Lady Macbeth will answer that the meaning of life is doubtlessly power because she wants to obtain high position and wealth from her husband’s advancement.
Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t.
“Let me handle tonight’s preparations, because tonight will change every night and day for the rest of our lives”
= These lines are striking because it embodies Lady Macbeth’s dark inner thoughts and plans. The first line expressed kind disguisements on top on the ambition. The second line was when Lady Macbeth was so surprised but thrilled to greet the king because she believes that the king will change her lifetime.
Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.
= majesty (1.6 19)- This word is significant because it shows how lady Macbeth describes the King Duncan on the outside but has a completely different approach on the inside.
denotation: royal power; supreme greatness or authority; sovereignty
connotation: a way of expressing respect 1.7 "Why has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act 1?"
- (1.7 51) Be so much more the man
- (1.7 36-45) Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valor
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ”
Like the poor cat i' th' adage?
- (1.7 70-72) The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?
Macbeth had decided to kill King Duncan because he was influenced by the three witches and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth was first informed by the witches that he will become the King by their prophecies, which caused him to form his own dreams and eagerness in a way from the start. Then when the real chance of killing King Duncan came, Macbeth reconsiders the crime due to the King’s generosity and humble leadership. However, Macbeth was impacted by his wife, Lady Macbeth, who constantly pressured and pushed him with things like courage, hopes, and such ease of not getting blamed for the assassination. Act II
How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?
Macbeth is truly regretful and is full of fear. In the quote (2.2 26-30) “One cried, “God bless us!” and “Amen” the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. List'ning their fear I could not say “Amen,” When they did say “God bless us!””, Macbeth is afraid that he will no longer receive God’s blessing. Moreover, Macbeth is also criticizes himself harshly by saying (2.2 43-44) “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” Macbeth was so nervous that he even forgot to leave the bloody daggers with the chamberlains. Although Macbeth had been renamed as the new King, he is terrified to hide his fault and feels extremely guilty as shown in (2.2 51-52) “I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on ’t again I dare not.”
How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?
Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, is very satisfied of the results. She persuades Macbeth that what he had done is worth it however, she believes Macbeth is a coward for regretting his actions from (2.2 54-57) Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt.”. Lady Macbeth was so frustrated with Macbeth’s ponderous thoughts and actions that she put the dagger back herself to successfully hide the evidence. Lady Macbeth shows remorseless quality of her personality in (2.2 64-65) “My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white.” 3.5 - 3.6 Write a one sentence summary of each scene.
3.5- The three witches meet Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, who chastise them for telling Macbeth their prophecies without her permission but proclaims that she will take over as supervisor of the mischief.
3.6- Banquo’s murder had been accused to Fleance, however Lennox and Lord suspect Macbeth for both of the treacherous crimes and hope that Malcolm and Macduff, who are in England, can save Scotland from Macbeth before he commence a war.
In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth?
- The Lord has a suspicion of Macbeth about hiding the death of King Duncan and Banquo. Lord and Lennox call him a tyrant believes that Macbeth and is mistrustful with Macbeth for several reasons: Macbeth had stolen the birthright and throne of Malcom. Moreover, Macbeth suddenly starts to prepare for a war after finding out about Macduff trying to make alliance with the people of Northumberland and their lord, Siward with help from God to ultimately bring peace.
4.1 What does Macbeth want in this scene?
Macbeth wants to know more prophecies by the witches to retain possession of his place.
What stands in his way?
Macduff and thane of Fife stand in his way and Macbeth has to be beware of them.
How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
Macbeth, enraged and feared, says he will act immediately and start following his own thought with actions from then on. Macbeth attempts to overcome the obstacles by attacking Macduff’s castle, seize the town of Fife and kill his family and anyone else who are next in line for his inheritance.
What do the Witches want in this scene?
The witches wants Macbeth to commit wicked deeds therefore they kept on evoking him with their prophecies. Hecate also assigned them to punish Macbeth for his crime and corruption in order to aspire and retain the place of the king.
Act X
How has Lady Macbeth transformed by the end of the play?
Lady Macbeth had definitely transformed by the end of the play. Lady Macbeth used to be brave and aspiring, stepping out to do anything in order for Macbeth to achieve the position of the King. However, Lady Macbeth’s greed had taken her too far and changed her as the guiltiest women in the world. From Act 5, Lady Macbeth started to have strange habit such as sleepwalking and talking to herself. From the text, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him," (5.1 25-28), she seems to see blood on her hands and tries to wash off but she describes the persistent spot has her haunting sin, which nothing can ever wash off. Apparently, the word “blood” is the connotation of guilt. Although the guilt had not fallen upon Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, she is consistently fearful. Lady Macbeth shows a great sense of regret by saying that the old man’s death brings paramount remorse. It is an irony of her saying this because she previously mentioned claim to Macbeth that “little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.65)
“Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Look not so pale.—I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on ’s grave” (5.1 42-43) shows Lady Macbeth lamenting the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo. Lady Macbeth tries to appease herself by saying that Banquo will not be able to come out of his own grave but she can not get out of her ceaseless tornado of distress. Lady Macbeth is shattered by her hostile nerves that pushes her down with cumbersome weight of guilt and paranoia. The doctor and gentlewomen marveled at her declining into madness. The doctor described her symptom as “thick-coming fancies” and informs Macbeth that the only cure is to cure herself. Unfortunately, Lady Macbeth could not carry on and committed suicide. Demise was what Lady Macbeth received for exaggerating too much ambitions. Conclusion
What is the main idea of the story?
What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.
The main idea of Macbeth is ambition. The destiny of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were both created and destroyed by their own ambitions. Macbeth, for example, used to be a noble Scottish general who received kudos for being brave and powerful. However, Macbeth’s ambitions started to escalate with weird thoughts when the three wicked witches told him his future of becoming the thane of Cawdor and the King. After achieving one of their prophecies, Macbeth somehow knew that he will become the king but he started to crave for power, which was when Macbeth began to affect other characters mischievously in order to get what he desires. Macbeth did everything he could to become the king and also to retain the position of the king by the most unforgiving deed of all, killing. Macbeth ultimately let his own ambitions have the best of him, which at the same time diminished his pride and morality. Macbeth becomes completely insane and lose all respect from the thanes and noblemen. Macbeth ultimately gets killed by Macduff.
Lady Macbeth is another example who became carried away with their exceeding ambitions. Lady Macbeth was the one who influenced and encouraged Macbeth to commit crimes and in her terms, this was for his own benefit. She was brave and unyielding when it was something she desired to accomplish. However, after scores of murders, Lady Macbeth becomes extremely guilty and fearful of what she had done. Lady Macbeth ends up committing suicide.
From these two characters, it is evident that there are always consequences for all crimes and only yourself can determine your own destiny. The three witches only told Macbeth his future but it was ultimately his immoral actions and ambitious thoughts that achieved the new position but make himself in ruin as well. Lady Macbeth, who used to be confident and guiltless of her actions turned exactly the opposite after her having overwhelming and unlimited ambitions.
There are numerous recurring images, words and more. First, there are several repetitive usage of words such as blood and night. These words portrayed as its denotation as well as its connotation, depending on the situation and the character. For example, blood can not only be the red bodily fluid but it could also symbolize guilt. Moreover, night can be the literal nighttime but as well as fear and loneliness. Second, there are also recurring situations such as murders and the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth commit several crimes which ultimately made them change mentally with constant fear, remorse and insanity. It is also interesting to note how the transformation of personalities of these two characters is reversed.
Characters
Witches - The witches resembles darkness and maliciousness with ugly appearance of torn clothing, skinny lips, beard and bony fingers. The witches have the ability to predict future as well as the ability to control the wind and make themselves disappear. The witches oppose human beings and they seek harm to destroy them.
Macbeth - Macbeth is the thane of Glamis as well as the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth has the qualities of being calm and modest and act very noble to everyone. Even when Macbeth received a prophesy of becoming the King of Scotland, he doubted the fact and was fearful at the same time.
Banquo - Banquo is a thane who showed qualities of greediness and ambitiousness. Banquo wanted to know his future after hearing Macbeth's and was irritated by his less fortunate outcome thus he talks badly about the witches.
Ross - Ross is a the messenger of the King. Ross is intimate with the King and he knows how the King feels about Macbeth. Ross agrees with the King no matter what.
Angus - Angus is another loyal messenger of the King. Angus dislikes rebels and those who commit treason.
Major Plot
- The witches converse about their revenge.
- Macbeth and Banquo meets.
- The witches prophesize the future of Macbeth and Banquo their futures and finds out Macbeth will become the Thane of Glamis then the King while Banquo's children will become the King.
- Ross and Angus came to give Macbeth the title of becoming Thane of Cawdor and Thane of Glamis.
- Angus explains how the Thane of Cawdor was executed.
Conflicts
1. Confusion and fear created from knowing the future of Macbeth and Banquo.
2. Uncertain of whether they should trust the witches prophecies or not; the witches may not wholly speak truth.
1.5 - 1.6
What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
= Lady Macbeth is an ambitious lady who seeks power and possibly fame and opulence. She fully believes that when Beowulf becomes the king, she will live in a better life. From her quote “Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue. Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t”, I can notice the sly and zealous tone in her words.
How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
= Lady Macbeth will answer that the meaning of life is doubtlessly power because she wants to obtain high position and wealth from her husband’s advancement.
Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t.
“Let me handle tonight’s preparations, because tonight will change every night and day for the rest of our lives”
= These lines are striking because it embodies Lady Macbeth’s dark inner thoughts and plans. The first line expressed kind disguisements on top on the ambition. The second line was when Lady Macbeth was so surprised but thrilled to greet the king because she believes that the king will change her lifetime.
Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.
= majesty (1.6 19)- This word is significant because it shows how lady Macbeth describes the King Duncan on the outside but has a completely different approach on the inside.
denotation: royal power; supreme greatness or authority; sovereignty
connotation: a way of expressing respect
1.7
"Why has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act 1?"
- (1.7 51) Be so much more the man
- (1.7 36-45) Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valor
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would, ”
Like the poor cat i' th' adage?
- (1.7 70-72) The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?
Macbeth had decided to kill King Duncan because he was influenced by the three witches and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth was first informed by the witches that he will become the King by their prophecies, which caused him to form his own dreams and eagerness in a way from the start. Then when the real chance of killing King Duncan came, Macbeth reconsiders the crime due to the King’s generosity and humble leadership. However, Macbeth was impacted by his wife, Lady Macbeth, who constantly pressured and pushed him with things like courage, hopes, and such ease of not getting blamed for the assassination.
Act II
How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?
Macbeth is truly regretful and is full of fear. In the quote (2.2 26-30) “One cried, “God bless us!” and “Amen” the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. List'ning their fear I could not say “Amen,” When they did say “God bless us!””, Macbeth is afraid that he will no longer receive God’s blessing. Moreover, Macbeth is also criticizes himself harshly by saying (2.2 43-44) “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” Macbeth was so nervous that he even forgot to leave the bloody daggers with the chamberlains. Although Macbeth had been renamed as the new King, he is terrified to hide his fault and feels extremely guilty as shown in (2.2 51-52) “I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on ’t again I dare not.”
How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?
Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, is very satisfied of the results. She persuades Macbeth that what he had done is worth it however, she believes Macbeth is a coward for regretting his actions from (2.2 54-57) Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt.”. Lady Macbeth was so frustrated with Macbeth’s ponderous thoughts and actions that she put the dagger back herself to successfully hide the evidence. Lady Macbeth shows remorseless quality of her personality in (2.2 64-65) “My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white.”
3.5 - 3.6
Write a one sentence summary of each scene.
3.5- The three witches meet Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, who chastise them for telling Macbeth their prophecies without her permission but proclaims that she will take over as supervisor of the mischief.
3.6- Banquo’s murder had been accused to Fleance, however Lennox and Lord suspect Macbeth for both of the treacherous crimes and hope that Malcolm and Macduff, who are in England, can save Scotland from Macbeth before he commence a war.
In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth?
- The Lord has a suspicion of Macbeth about hiding the death of King Duncan and Banquo. Lord and Lennox call him a tyrant believes that Macbeth and is mistrustful with Macbeth for several reasons: Macbeth had stolen the birthright and throne of Malcom. Moreover, Macbeth suddenly starts to prepare for a war after finding out about Macduff trying to make alliance with the people of Northumberland and their lord, Siward with help from God to ultimately bring peace.
4.1
What does Macbeth want in this scene?
Macbeth wants to know more prophecies by the witches to retain possession of his place.
What stands in his way?
Macduff and thane of Fife stand in his way and Macbeth has to be beware of them.
How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
Macbeth, enraged and feared, says he will act immediately and start following his own thought with actions from then on. Macbeth attempts to overcome the obstacles by attacking Macduff’s castle, seize the town of Fife and kill his family and anyone else who are next in line for his inheritance.
What do the Witches want in this scene?
The witches wants Macbeth to commit wicked deeds therefore they kept on evoking him with their prophecies. Hecate also assigned them to punish Macbeth for his crime and corruption in order to aspire and retain the place of the king.
Act X
How has Lady Macbeth transformed by the end of the play?
Lady Macbeth had definitely transformed by the end of the play. Lady Macbeth used to be brave and aspiring, stepping out to do anything in order for Macbeth to achieve the position of the King. However, Lady Macbeth’s greed had taken her too far and changed her as the guiltiest women in the world. From Act 5, Lady Macbeth started to have strange habit such as sleepwalking and talking to herself. From the text, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him," (5.1 25-28), she seems to see blood on her hands and tries to wash off but she describes the persistent spot has her haunting sin, which nothing can ever wash off. Apparently, the word “blood” is the connotation of guilt. Although the guilt had not fallen upon Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, she is consistently fearful. Lady Macbeth shows a great sense of regret by saying that the old man’s death brings paramount remorse. It is an irony of her saying this because she previously mentioned claim to Macbeth that “little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.65)
“Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Look not so pale.—I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on ’s grave” (5.1 42-43) shows Lady Macbeth lamenting the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo. Lady Macbeth tries to appease herself by saying that Banquo will not be able to come out of his own grave but she can not get out of her ceaseless tornado of distress. Lady Macbeth is shattered by her hostile nerves that pushes her down with cumbersome weight of guilt and paranoia. The doctor and gentlewomen marveled at her declining into madness. The doctor described her symptom as “thick-coming fancies” and informs Macbeth that the only cure is to cure herself. Unfortunately, Lady Macbeth could not carry on and committed suicide. Demise was what Lady Macbeth received for exaggerating too much ambitions.
Conclusion
What is the main idea of the story?
What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.
The main idea of Macbeth is ambition. The destiny of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were both created and destroyed by their own ambitions. Macbeth, for example, used to be a noble Scottish general who received kudos for being brave and powerful. However, Macbeth’s ambitions started to escalate with weird thoughts when the three wicked witches told him his future of becoming the thane of Cawdor and the King. After achieving one of their prophecies, Macbeth somehow knew that he will become the king but he started to crave for power, which was when Macbeth began to affect other characters mischievously in order to get what he desires. Macbeth did everything he could to become the king and also to retain the position of the king by the most unforgiving deed of all, killing. Macbeth ultimately let his own ambitions have the best of him, which at the same time diminished his pride and morality. Macbeth becomes completely insane and lose all respect from the thanes and noblemen. Macbeth ultimately gets killed by Macduff.
Lady Macbeth is another example who became carried away with their exceeding ambitions. Lady Macbeth was the one who influenced and encouraged Macbeth to commit crimes and in her terms, this was for his own benefit. She was brave and unyielding when it was something she desired to accomplish. However, after scores of murders, Lady Macbeth becomes extremely guilty and fearful of what she had done. Lady Macbeth ends up committing suicide.
From these two characters, it is evident that there are always consequences for all crimes and only yourself can determine your own destiny. The three witches only told Macbeth his future but it was ultimately his immoral actions and ambitious thoughts that achieved the new position but make himself in ruin as well. Lady Macbeth, who used to be confident and guiltless of her actions turned exactly the opposite after her having overwhelming and unlimited ambitions.
There are numerous recurring images, words and more. First, there are several repetitive usage of words such as blood and night. These words portrayed as its denotation as well as its connotation, depending on the situation and the character. For example, blood can not only be the red bodily fluid but it could also symbolize guilt. Moreover, night can be the literal nighttime but as well as fear and loneliness. Second, there are also recurring situations such as murders and the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth commit several crimes which ultimately made them change mentally with constant fear, remorse and insanity. It is also interesting to note how the transformation of personalities of these two characters is reversed.